Adjustable bar hanger and receptacle fastening means



April 13, 1943. ATKINSON 2,316,389

ADJUSTABLE BAR HANGAR AND RECEPTACLE FASTENING MEANS Filed Aug. 3, 1940 3 Sheets-Sheet l April 13, 1943. B lN N 2,316,389

ADJUSTABLE BAR HANGAR AND RECEPTACLE FASTENING MEANS Filed Aug. 3, 1940 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 .14 I 2mm! April 13, 1943. E. B. ATKINSON ADJUSTABLE BAR HANGAR AND RECEP'I'ACLE FASTENING MEANS Filed Aug. 3. 1940 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Patented Apr. 13, 1943 OFFICE ADJUSTABLE BAR HANGER. AND RECEP- TACLE FASTENING MEAN S Earl B. Atkinson, Bay Village, Ohio Application August a, 1940, Serial No. 350,010 g 2 Claims. (01. 287-58) This invention relates to improved adjustable bar hangers and fastening means for supporting receptacles such as outlet boxes, switch boxes and the like and more particularly the invention relates to improved extensible bar hangers formed with guiding and reinforcing means to give rigidity and strength to the bar hanger and to improved fastening means for securing receptacles to the adjustable bar hanger and for maintaining the bar hanger in adjusted position.

An object of this invention is to provide an improved bar hanger formed in two sections which may be adjusted lengthwise to fit between joists and studding of building structure having various distances between centers.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved bar hanger formed in two sections each of which is provided with guiding and reinforcing means ,for maintaining the sections in a complementary relationship.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved bar hanger formed by two sections each of which is formed in such a manner as to provide a spring action when assembled which serves to increase the frictional contact between the sections when the two sections are fastened together to form the improved bar hanger.

Another objectv of the invention is to provide improved means for securing the adjustable bar hangers between joists, studding, and other building structure.

A further object of this invention is to provide improved means for securing the adjustable bar hangers to metallic I-beams without drilling holes in the beams or performing other operations on the I-beams.

A still further object of the invention is to provide improved means for securing receptacles such as outlet boxes and switch boxes to an adjustable bar hanger and also for securing the superposed sections of the bar hanger in adjusted position.

Other objects, features and advantages will become apparent as the following detailed description of the improved adjustable bar hanger and receptacle fastening means is explained, reference being made to the drawings wherein:

Figure 1 is an assembly perspective view of the improved adjustable bar hanger supported between joists and on which is secured electrical receptacles including an outlet box and a switch box:

Figure 2 is a front view of the adjustable bar hanger assembly shown in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a plan view 01 the adjustable bar hanger assembly shown'in Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a perspective view disclosing details of the members comprising the two sections of the adjustable bar hanger;

Figure 5 is a fragmentary rear view of an improved fixture stud for use in securing outlet boxes and the like to the adjustable bar hanger and for tightening the bar hanger in adjusted position:

Figure 6 is a sectional view on line i-l of Figure 5;

Figure 7 is an exploded view of the improved fixture stud assembly;

Figure 8 is an exploded view of an improved fastening plug assembly for securing receptacles to the adjustable bar hanger and for tightening the bar hanger in adjusted position;

Figure 9 is a side assembly view showing means for securing the adjustable hanger bar to I-beams;

Figure 10 is a bottom view of the assembly shown in Figure 9;

Figure 11 shows details ofthe securing means for attaching the adjustable bar hanger to I-beams;

Figure 12 is a front view of an adjustable bar hanger assembly disclosing modified means for securing the bar hanger in position between wooden studding or joists.

Figure 13 is a top view of the assembly shown in Figure 12; and

Figure 14 is a detailedview 01' the modified securing means employed on the adjustable bar hanger assembliesdisclosed in Figures 12 and 13.

The adjustable bar hanger designated by reference numeral 20 is shown in the figures supported by a building structure II which represents either spaced ceiling joists or spaced wall studding. The adjustable bar hanger serves as a support for receptacles such, for example, as an outlet or fixture box 22 or a switch box 23 shown in the drawings. hanger is suitable for supporting other types and shapes of receptacles such, for example, as cabinets and also for supporting clamps for holding conduit and pipe in place. The adjustable bar hanger 20 comprises two elongated sections or pieces 24 and 25 formed of metal. As shown in Figure 4, each of the sections 2! and 25 are formed of elongated body members designated by reference numerals 26 and 21 which have formed therein elongated slots 28 and 29. At one end of each of the body members 26 and 21 a portion is provided designated by reference numer- The adjustable bar als 38 and 3! which is formed at an angle with respect to the body members 28 and 21. The portions 30 and 3| which are formed in angular relation with the body members 28 and 21 are provided with apertures 34 adjacent their outer extremities for receiving nails, screws or other fastening means 35 which serve to secure the portions 24 and 25 to the joists or studding or the building structure 21. are preferably formed at right angles to the body members 26 and 21 although it is contemplated that the portions may extend in either acute or obtuse angular relation thereto depending upon the position of the body members with regard to the joists or studding.

On the end of the body members 28 and 21 opposite the portions 30 and 3| lugs are provided which are designated by reference numerals 32 and 33. The lugs 32 and 33 are preferably formed by punching or pressing upwardly a portion of the metal of the body member between the end of the elongated slot and the terminal portion of the body member and, as shown in the drawings, the lugs project laterally from the surfaces of each of the body members. The diameter of the lugs is slightly less than the width of the slots 28 and 29 so that the lugs may be inserted into the slots when two of the sections 24 and 25 are superposed upon each other. As shown in the drawings, the lug 32 projects into slot 29 of section 24 and the lug 33 of section 24 projects into slot 28 of section 25. In order to make this arrangement possible, the lugs on each of the sections are formed to extend or project in an opposite direction, 1. e., the lug 32 of body member 26 is directed forwardly as shown in Figure 1 and the lug 33 of the body member 21 is directed rearwardly as shown in Figure 3. When the sections 24 and 25 are placed in superposed relation as shown in Figur 1 and the lugs 32 is inserted in slot 29 and the lug 33 is inserted in slot 28, the sections may be slid relative to each other in order to position the portions 38 and 31 adjacent the building structure to which they may be secured as above described. The cooperation between the lugs 32 and 33 and the slots 28 and 29 serves to guide the sections 24 and 25 as they are moved into adjusted position to be secured between the spaced joists and in addition the arrangement serves to give rigidity and stability to the bar hanger. It is contemplated that the body members 25 and 2'! may be formed in any desired size in order that the bar hanger may be adjusted to any desired length. Furthermore, the sections 24 and 25 may be of the same length or of different lengths depending upon the nature of the receptacle to be installed and the spacing of the joists.

As shown in Figure 4, the body members 25 and 21 are formed with a slight bow or bend. The bow or bend in body member 26 is directed oppositely to the bow or bend in body member 21 so that when the two sections 24 and 25 are placed together in superposed relation and secured by a tightening means, the assembly will have increased rigidity and stability due to the spring action between the oppositely bowed sections which are drawn together. Figures 5, 6, '7 and 8 disclose members for use in securing sections 24 and 25 in adjusted position and in addition they serve to fasten receptacles such as outlet boxes and switch boxes to the adjustable bar hanger. Figures 5, 6 and 7 disclose a fixture stud for this purpose which comprises a body The portions 38 and 3| member 34 having a central passage therethrough 38. A threaded section 31 is positioned on one side of the body portion and raised section 38 are formed on the opposite or bottom of the body portion on opposite sides 01 the central passage 34. Projections 38 extend irom the raised section and are adapted to be inserted into the elongated slot of a section of the adjustable bar hanger against which the bottom of the raised sections 38 is positioned. Tightening means comprising a screw 40 is passed through the passage 38 and the slots oi the superposed sections and is tightened by the nut 4i. A receptacle 42 indicated in Figure 6 may be secured to the adjustable bar hanger by passing the raised sections 38 through an aperture 43 in the bottom of the receptacle. As shown in Figure 6, the receptacle 42 is secured in place by the body portion 35 and the adjustable bar hanger section 24 when the nut 41 is tightened on the bolt 40.

Figure 8 shows a modified form of a clamping device for securing the sections 24 and 25 of the bar hanger in adjusted relation and for fastening receptacles to the adjustable bar hanger. The clamping means comprises a substantially flat metallic member 44 having a central aperture 45 and projections 46 extending from one side of the member and positioned on opposite sides of the aperture 45. The projections 46 are formed of a size and in alignment to be inserted in the elongated slot of the adjustable bar hanger as is indicated in Figures 3 and 4 of the drawings. A plurality of lugs 41 are struck up adjacent the periphery on the side of the member 44 provided with the projection 46 as shown in Figure 8 although they do not extend as far outwardly as projections 46. When the device is employed to secure a receptacle such as switch box 23 to the adjustable bar hanger, the projections 46 extend through an aperture in the bottom of the switch box and p ject into the slots of the adjustable bar hanger. As is shown in Figure 3, the switch box is secured intermediate the member 44 and the adjacent section 24 of the bar hanger when the clamping means is tightened in position by the screw 48 and nut 49. The lugs 41 press against the inner wall of the switch box 23 and serve to concentrate the tightening force on the portion of the wall with which the lugs contact. In addition, a spring action is created in the fiat member 44 between the central portion contacted by the head of screw 48 and the periphery wherein the lugs 41 are located so that there is no tendency for the screw 48 and the nut 49 to become loosened.

The tightening means and receptacle securing means disclosed in Figures 5, 6, 7 and 8 serve to maintain receptacles such as outlet boxes and switch boxes securely fastened to the adjustable bar hanger and in addition serve to secure the two sections of the bar hanger in adjusted position. Insertion of the projections 39 of the fixture stud clamping device and of the projections 46 of member 44 in the slot of the adjustable bar hanger serves to maintain them against rotation and serves to increase the rigidity and stability of the complete assembly. Furthermore, the oppositely bowed or bent sections 24 and 25 of the adjustable bar hanger when drawn together serve to prevent the tightening means from becoming loose due to the spring action.

The invention further contemplates additional means for securing the adjustable bar hanger in place between flanged beams such as I-beams.

Figures 9, 10 and 11 disclose means for securing the adjustable bar hanger to I-beams without drilling holes in the I-beams or performing other operations on the I-beams. As shown in Figure 9, the portions 30 and 3| are positioned in contact with the web 5| of an I-beam 50. The ends 52 of the portions 30 and 3| extend to and are in contact with the flange 53 of the I-beam 50 and in this manner the portions 30 and 3| serve as spacers for positioning the adjustable bar hanger. An elongated member 54 having an elongated slot therein 55 has an end 56 curved to be hooked over the end of the flange 53 opposite the side of the web 5| against which portion 30 rests. A screw 55 is inserted through the slot 55 of member 54 and also inserted through the slot of either one or both sections of the adjustable bar hanger as is shown in Figure 9. A nut 51 is tightened on the screw 56 for the purpose or tightening member54 about the I-beam and the adjustable bar hanger in place between the I-beams 50.

Means for mounting the adjustable bar hanger are shown in Figures .12, 13, and 14 of the draw- ,ings which are particularly suitable for use in -mounting the adjustable bar hanger between wooden joists or studding. Portions 30 and 3| of the sections 24 and 25 are provided with pointed members or prongs 60 which are formed at right angles to the portions 30 and 3|. The prongs are inserted into the wooden joists or studding of the building structure 2| and serve to maintain the adjustable bar hanger in place between the joists or studding. If it is desirable, nails or screws 6| may be passed through portions 30 and 3| and into the wooden joists or studding in order to serve as an additional fastening means although in most instances such additional means will not be found necessary. The prongs 80 are inserted in members 2| by applying pressure to the portions 30 and 3| and when the prongs 60 have been positioned as shown in Figures 12 and 13, the adjustable bar hanger will b securely mounted in position.

The adjustable bar hanger and receptacle fastening means described herein are suitable for mounting receptacles of various shapes and sizes.

The adjustable bar hanger may be mounted between the joists or studding in such a position so that the mouth of either shallow or deep receptacles will be flush with the ceiling or wall of the building structure.

Having thus described the invention with particularity with regard to its preferred forms, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art, after understanding the invention, that various other changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, and it is desired in the appended claims to cover all such changes and modifications as are within the scope of the invention.

I claim:

1. An adjustable bar hanger comprising two elongated sections formed of resilient material, each of said sections comprising a bowed body member having a longitudinal slot therein, a laterally projecting lug located adjacent one end of said body member and a portion positioned in angular relationship with said body memberv located at the end opposite said lug, said elongated sections being positioned in superposed relationship with the bowed body members oppositely directed and with the lug of each section projecting into the longitudinal slot of the opposite section and means for drawing together the bowed body members and securing the sections in adjusted position.

2. An adjustable bar hanger comprising two elongated sections, each of said sections comprising a body member having a longitudinal slot therein, a laterally projecting lug located adjacent one end of said body member and a portion positioned in angular relationship with said body member located at the end of said body member opposite said lug, said sections being positioned in superposed relation with the lug of each section projecting into the longitudinal slot of the opposite section and means for securing said sections together comprising a device having a plurality of projections positioned in spaced relationship within at least one of said slots and tightening means passing through said slots and said device.

EARL B. ATKINSON. 

